Lush green forest surrounds the 7,647-acre reservoir that spans the border between Pennsylvania and New York. In Pennsylvania, the reservoir is completely surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest; and in New York State by Allegany State Park and the Allegany Indian Reservation of the Seneca Nation.
At normal summer pool level the reservoir is 27 miles long, 14 miles in Pennsylvania and 13 miles in New York, with 91 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 130 feet.
Despite how busy the reservoir can get in the summer, there are still places where you can experience the solitude and quiet of the forest. Facilities range from large campgrounds with everything from electric hook-ups, flush toilets and playgrounds to boat-in campgrounds with simple outhouses and hand-pumps for water.
The reservoir draws people from all over for the quantity and quality of the water activities it has available.
The walleye, trout, bass, pike and muskellunge are there and waiting for a fight. Several record breaking fish have been caught in the reservoir. In the winter you can head out onto the ice for a little ice fishing. If you want to look, but not fish, stop by the dam and peek over the edge. The fish like to gather in the eddies at the edges of the reservoir near the dam. Please do not feed the fish.
There are two major trails in the area, Jakes Rock Extreme Mountain Biking Trail, and the short, but intense, Rimrock Trail. After your ride or hike you can head over to the Kinzua Beach and cool off in the chill waters of the reservoir.
And no trip the the reservoir is complete without driving on Longhouse National Scenic Byway and up to the overlooks at Jakes Rocks and Rimrock to take in the endless view of the reservoir against the backdrop of the forest.
Scroll down to find out more about the activities available on the reservoir.
History of the Reservoir
The reservoir was created in the 1960s when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Kinzua Dam on the upper Allegheny River. The reservoir water level and water surface is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Only a few private landowners exist on the New York shoreline. The Allegheny Reservoir is unique because very little private commercial development exists along its shoreline. The majority of the existing developed recreation sites on the PA portion of the Reservoir are operated and maintained by the Allegheny National Forest.
